The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services had to cancel its residential rehabilitation programs for DWI offenders, and now those people are left without options.

According to the local Concord Monitor, the Chief of district courts in Concord, Judge Edward Kelly, is airing his concerns private treatment facilities are not providing the necessary assistance required for DWI offenders. Those persons convicted of a DWI in the state are asked to serve three days in jail immediately followed by 7 days in a rehabilitation program.

The entire sentence is required to be filled within 21 days of a conviction. In order to ease the financial stress this causes for a DWI offender, there are not supposed to be any up front fees for the treatment. This sentence was performed satisfactorily through public facilities for years. Recent budget cuts, though, have affected the state's ability to continue the service.

Owing to budget cuts, the state has also had to stop providing transportation to the private facilities. This means many offenders are allowed to drive to the programs, which many feel is a public safety risk.

Aside from the necessity to drive, the private facilities generally charge up front fees and are too busy to admit a person within the 21-day requirement. All told, this means DWI offenders are unable to sufficiently fill the order of their sentencing. Further, Kelly confirms many of these people have immediate addiction problems and need treatment in order to keep them safe in the future.

This is just one of the many services for DWI offenders that has been cut owing to recent budget constraints in many states. The problem is affecting people on both sides of the table. Even MADD has announced it will also have to stop providing services to victims in many areas due to lack of funding.